Exequiel Palacios, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022 and on the preliminary list for the 2026 tournament, believes Neymar should be part of the next World Cup. During a press conference organized by Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga on Tuesday, with participation from ge, the Argentine midfielder stated that the best players must be present in major tournaments like the World Cup and highlighted the historical significance of Brazil’s No. 10.
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Exequiel Palacios for Bayer Leverkusen — Photo: Bayer Leverkusen
“I think these teams (Brazil, Argentina, and France), these countries, are already very strong in themselves and due to their history. Today they arrive in great shape as a team and as a group. And about Neymar, I think if you ask most Brazilians, they would want him to be there, because he is obviously a historic player who has given a lot to Brazil. For the World Cup, it would also be something very beautiful. I believe the best players need to be in these important tournaments, and Neymar is a historic player who is still in good form.”
Developed by River Plate, Palacios left Argentine football in 2020 to join Bayer Leverkusen and has since become one of the most crucial pieces in the German team’s midfield. The 27-year-old Argentine took part in the club’s recent achievements and played a key role in their historic Bundesliga title campaign.
With the Argentine national team, he was part of the squad that won the 2022 World Cup, as well as the last two Copa America titles and the Finalissima. Palacios has faced Neymar in clashes between Argentina and Brazil, such as in the 2021 Copa America.
Exequiel Palacios and Neymar in the 2021 Copa America — Photo: Wagner Meier/Getty Images
When asked who is greater, Maradona or Messi, Palacios placed Messi above any historical comparison in Argentine football and highlighted the No. 10’s connection with Argentina.
“I think there’s no debate. Of course, people will always talk about who is better or not, but for me, Leo doesn’t need to prove anything more to anyone. Everything he has won speaks for itself. And also because of the love he has for Argentina. Even today, he continues to be present, keeps training, keeps going to the national team. This love he has for his country is something almost no one else has. So Leo is an example both as a player and as a person.”
Messi and Exequiel Palacios — Photo: Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images
The midfielder also commented on the possibility of Messi playing another World Cup and said he is not surprised by the level maintained by the Argentine star even after the title in Qatar.
“Yes, I think the World Cup passed very quickly, and today we are already on the verge of another one. It doesn’t seem strange to me, because Leo, after the World Cup, continued to show his level in another league, at another club. It seems like he makes everything easy when he receives the ball. But that doesn’t surprise me, because seeing his day-to-day, how he trains and how he is with the national team, fills me with joy and pride. May Leo continue with the national team and be able to be at another World Cup again.”
Exequiel Palacios in his River Plate days — Photo: Agustin Marcarian/Reuters
When speaking about Bayer Leverkusen’s season, Palacios admitted the team’s ups and downs throughout the year but highlighted the squad renewal and the fight for a spot in international competitions.
“It was a season of highs and lows. We are not in the place we wanted to be. The club is in a phase of formation, many young players arrived, some still haven’t managed to establish themselves as we expected. But there is still one match left, and we have the possibility to fight for a spot in an international tournament. We will give our best until the end.”
Exequiel Palacios — Photo: Reproduction
Bayer Leverkusen goes into the last round of the Bundesliga in sixth place with 58 points from 33 games, still competing for a European competition spot next season. Exequiel Palacios’ team has 17 wins, seven draws, and nine losses, with 67 goals scored and 46 conceded. Despite fluctuating throughout the championship after last season’s historic campaign, the team could still climb positions in the final round when they face Hamburger SV at home.
Argentina released a preliminary list of 55 players for the 2026 World Cup this week, and Exequiel Palacios is among the names considered to compete in another World Cup for the reigning champions. The final squad call-up by Lionel Scaloni, with the 26 chosen for the competition, has yet to have a confirmed date. Argentina is in Group J of the World Cup alongside Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, and will debut on June 16 against the Algerians.